Ole Miss suspends two players from team after their arrests after gun waving incident

JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi running back Jamal Pittman and linebacker Ken Bournes have been suspended indefinitely after their weekend arrests during what police said was a confrontation in Memphis, Tenn., in which both displayed guns.

"We are gathering information surrounding the events...," Cutcliffe said in a statement on Monday. "At this time, they are suspended indefinitely from all football related activities. As we gather information and assess the situation, we will then make a further statement."

The statement, which was sent to media outlets and posted on the Ole Miss Web site, gave no details about what led to the charges.

Court records show Pittman was booked early Sunday morning on charges of reckless endangerment-deadly weapon and resisting official detention. He was being held on a $50,000 bond with a court date set for Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Bournes, allegedly involved in the same incident, faces a misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of a weapon. He posted a $1,000 bond and was released, police records show.

According to a complaint filed with the court in Shelby County, police witnessed a disturbance at a Memphis intersection early Sunday in which Pittman was allegedly waving a pistol at the occupants of a car and at people walking in the area.

"The officers called for additional cars and then approached the defendant repeatedly telling him to drop the weapon," the complaint said. Pittman allegedly waved the weapon at police and would not drop it until officers closed in, struggled with him and doused him with pepper spray.

Pittman was taken to a hospital and treated for minor injuries, the complaint said. He later gave investigators a statement but denied pointing a weapon at police, the complaint said.

In a separate complaint, officers said they saw Bournes pull a pistol and point it at an individual. The complaint said Bournes then put the weapon in his vehicle before he was taken into custody. The loaded weapon was recovered, the complaint said.

If convicted, Pittman could face up to two years behind bars. According to the Tennessee code, felony reckless endangerment involves conduct which places or may place another person in imminent danger or death or seriously bodily injury with a deadly weapon.

Attempts to contract Pittman and Bournes were not immediately successful.

Pittman, a sophomore running back from Columbia, played in five games last season, gaining 214 yards on 42 carries. He had a touchdown run against Louisiana-Monroe.

Pittman's 2003 season ended on Oct. 11 against Arkansas State when he suffered injuries to his left knee. He had surgery on October 25 and returned in time to participate in spring drills.

Bournes, a senior from Monticello, was expected to start at linebacker after a strong performance in spring drills.

Bournes played in all 13 games in 2003 and was credited with 35 tackles, including nine tackles for losses, and three and one-half quarterback sacks, according to university's Web site. He forced one fumble.

On the Net:

http://www.shelbycountyjail.com